Veteran council members say good-bye

Photo by Jill Russell

TERRY BOREK, MAGGIE DROTZ, MARK BEAUDRY AND DWAYNE NEAL WERE HONORED FOR THEIR SERVICE ON MILTON CITY COUNCIL ON DEC. 14.

Four retiring Milton City Council members were honored by the city in a public celebration at city hall on Dec. 14.

Mayor Katrina Asay gave each of the council members plaques to commemorate their public service and to give the members a personal send off.

Councilmember Dwayne Neal, who spent four years on council, told the council during their last meeting on Dec. 7 that he plans to continue following city politics.

Neal’s career has taken him from plumbing, to flying planes over the Amazon River in South America, to preaching. He noted that he would be retiring from his position as a pastor this year, as well.

“For so many years, all I knew was Christians from my church. Now my world has broadened and I got to know other Christians, too,” Neal said. “I got to know a few heathens, too,” he joked.

Although Councilmember Terry Borek, who has served on council for six years, said very few words about his experiences on the council, the statement seemed to be sincere.

“I became very educated on city politics,” Borek said. “I am honored to have hung out with you guys. It’s been a very nice experience.”

Borek also noted his appreciation for the city staff during his time on council.

“They are professionals who deserve to be recognized.”

As an eight-year council veteran, Mark Beaudry said he would miss serving on council and that it is an honor to be a part of it. He gave incoming members his best wishes.

“They have a big job ahead of them,” Beaudry said. “I wish them all the luck in the world.”

Asay gave Maggie Drotz, the council member who spent her entire career in public service, a heartfelt, tearful good-bye.

“Just like in the ‘Wizard of Oz’ when Dorothy had to say good-bye to her friends, the scarecrow was the hardest,” Asay said. “You are the hardest for me.”

Drotz told council members during their last meeting that she would be spending more time with her family and caring for her terminally ill oldest daughter. She told the incoming council members that serving their community would be the “greatest privilege they experience in their lives.”

“It’s time consuming at times and will take you away from your families, your jobs and friends, but it will all be worth it,” Drotz said. “You will be able to look back in life and say, ‘Damn it, I did a good job.’”

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